3DMark FireStrike) prior to the flash to build a baseline for performance. Run some benchmarks (FPS benchmarks or synthetic, e.g.
Next, we'd suggest exporting a ROM image of your current VBIOS, so that it could be rolled back if absolutely necessary. Determining that the product legitimately has 1GB modules is the first step, as opposed to 512MB (4Gb) modules that would be impossible to unlock to anything greater than 512MB.ĭo not use VBIOS from a card with a completely different design. For example, one of ours uses the ID “SAMSUNG 616 / K4G80325FB-HC25 / GZL0440S.” You can check other tear-downs online and known identifiers to determine which modules are known 1GB (8Gb) modules. Make sure the memory module IDs match known IDs of 8GB cards (1GB modules).
We took the more physical approach to this and pulled the shroud off the card (read about that over here) to read the ID on the memory modules. To mitigate risk, we'd suggest using MemoryInfo to validate the ID on the memory modules. We'd generally advise spending the extra money ( $240 8GB RX 480) rather than risk a card, but enthusiasts familiar with the process likely know what they're getting into. Only if reasonably certain that the VRAM modules can accept an 8GB VBIOS should you embark upon this process. There are also a few important risks with attempting a VBIOS flash – and some of those may be obvious, given the above:įlashing VBIOS with a ROM that was not intended for the card could result in immediate “bricking” of the device, rendering it unusable.įlashing VBIOS with a ROM that IS intended for the card could result in the same, if something goes wrong during the process (software failure/lock, power failure, etc.).įlashing VBIOS with an 8GB ROM is successful in “unlocking” a card from 4GB to 8GB, but slows down memory performance or exhibits instability relating to VRAM. It is possible that some of the card's VRAM is not performing to spec, and rather than throwing out the whole card, AMD uses VBIOS to lock utilization to four of the known-good modules on the card. The second option is common, and also happens on the CPU side of the industry (and system memory, for that matter). Market demand has shifted and supply does not match, and so locks are issued on products to meet demand of said product. Some of its VRAM modules failed testing & validation, and therefore were “locked” to ensure a higher quality, lower density product.
It actually contains lower density VRAM, and therefore can never “unlock” to 8GB. There are a few good reasons that a card would be sold as a 4GB video card:
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